Readers discuss the ethical challenges of land use decisions in England, balancing human needs for housing and infrastructure with the preservation of nature sites, particularly in light of Labour's planning proposals. A new citizen science project, Last Haven, is introduced to explore these tensions, and the term 'nimbyism' is re-evaluated.
Humans need both housing and wild places
Planning policyEnglandNorth of EnglandBiodiversityUniversitiesScotlandProtestActivismUKEnvironmentPoliticsLabour
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Readers discuss the ethical challenges of land use decisions in England, balancing human needs for housing and infrastructure with the preservation of nature sites, particularly in light of Labour's planning proposals. A new citizen science project, Last Haven, is introduced to explore these tensions, and the term 'nimbyism' is re-evaluated.
Trending- 1 Some years ago: A successful fight to forestall planning consent for a power line from Ullapool to Beauly.
- 2 June 3, 2025: Article 'Revealed: 5,000 English nature sites at risk under Labour’s planning proposals' published.
- 3 June 9, 2025: Letters published discussing the issue and the 'Last Haven' project.
- Risk to over 5,000 English nature sites under Labour’s planning proposals
- Ethical and emotional challenges in land use decisions
- Potential for increased biodiversity loss if planning reforms are not balanced
- Disparity in investment between the South-East and North of England regarding landscape protection
What: A discussion and debate among readers concerning the ethical and emotional challenges of land use decisions in England, specifically focusing on the balance between human development (housing, infrastructure) and the preservation of nature sites, in response to Labour's planning proposals that reportedly put 5,000 English nature sites at risk. The 'Last Haven' citizen science project is highlighted as a tool to explore these tensions.
When: Published June 9, 2025; in response to an article from June 3, 2025; references a past successful fight against a power line 'some years ago'.
Where: England (North of England, South-East, Prestwich, Bath), Scotland (Ullapool, Beauly, North-west Highlands), United Kingdom.
Why: To bring into focus the ethical and emotional challenges involved in decisions about land use, to advocate for a balanced approach that considers both human flourishing and the wellbeing of the non-human world, and to redefine the term 'nimbyism' in the context of environmental protection.
How: Through letters to the editor, responding to a previous Guardian article about Labour's planning proposals. Dr. Edmond Awad introduces the 'Last Haven' project, Sue Hopkinson proposes a redefinition of 'nimbyism', and Steve Lupton comments on regional investment disparities.